Remedy For Confusion: Regional Groups Defined

December 3, 1958

Any one who tries to understand metro problems in the New York City area runs into an alphabet soup of initials and nicknames given to agencies or groups working toward goals that sometimes appear to conflict. Here, to help in understanding this series and discussions yet to come, is a glossary:

More Than 2 Years Old

METROPOLITAN REGIONAL COUNCIL: Top elected officials of 17 counties and 20 municipalities in the area have met for more than 2 years to discuss informally questions like regional traffic control and water and air pollution. This group opposes creation of a bi-state rapid transit agency. Instead, it would like a tri-state approach, with Connecticut in on the ground floor along with New York and New Jersey. The M. R. C. is conducting informal hearings this month to determine whether it should seek formal status, possibly, but not probably, as a new layer of government. Its next hearing is scheduled for Tuesday in White Plains, N. Y. The M. R. C. views on rapid transit are galling to the:

METROPOLITAN RAPID TRANSIT COMMISSION: This is the New York-New Jersey study group that spent 3 years and more than $1 million studying transit problems of the area. Its chief recommendation, creation of a bi-State district council to make final plans for a transit system, is embodied in legislation passed in New York but stalled in the New Jersey Assembly. The M. R. T. C., its study function completed, will probably die a natural death this year. (More about its district proposal tomorrow.)

REGIONAL PLAN ASSOCIATION: Created to encourage action on the famous Regional Plan of 1923, this is a research and planning agency supported by voluntary membership to promote coordinated regional development. Important men have served on the R. P. A. Board. Its leaders believe the time has come for another master plan for the area to guide and help government officials decide the best uses for some of the more valuable land on earth. The R. P. A. has two important studies under way:

THE WALLACE SAYRES COMMITTEE: Columbia University Professor Sayres is meeting with seven other prominent citizens to draft ideas on the future of the M. R. C. They will present their conclusions January 13.

THE RAY VERNON STUDY: This 3-year effort has been described as the most detailed economic study ever undertaken for a metropolitan region. Ray Vernon has $590,000 in foundation grants to help him and his Harvard University staff study not only what is happening in the New York region but why it is happening. He may be able to predict, for instance, what effect the St. Lawrence Seaway will have on the region’s economic life. His findings may be ready next spring. It will help the R. P. A. and others decide what should be done to keep this area prosperous.